Intro: {G D C D} x6
Verse 1:
G D C D G
I'll bet you've never heard ole Marshall Dillon say
D C D G
Miss Kitty have you ever thought of running away
D C D G
Settling down, would you marry me
D C D G
If I asked you twice and begged you pretty please
D C D G
She'd have said yes in a New York minute
D C
They never tied the knot
D G
His heart wasn't in it
D C D
He just stole a kiss as he rode away
G D C
He never hung his hat up at Kitty's place
Chorus:
G D C
I should've been a cowboy
D G D C D
I should've learned to rope and ride
G D C D G D C
Wearing my six-shooter, riding by pony on a cattle drive
D G D C D
Stealing a young girl's heart
G D C
Just like Gene and Roy
D G D
Singing those rodeo songs
C D G D C
Oh I should've been a cowboy
Verse 2:
G D C D
I might of had a side kick with a funny name
G D C D
Running wild through the hills chasing Jesse James
G D C D
Ending up on the brink of danger
G D C D
Riding shotgun for the Texas Rangers
G D C D
Go west young man, haven't you been told
G D C D
California's full of whisky, women and gold
G D C D
Sleeping out all night beneath the desert stars
G D C D
A dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart
Chorus:
G D C
I should've been a cowboy
D G D C D
I should've learned to rope and ride
G D C D G D C
Wearing my six-shooter, riding by pony on a cattle drive
D G D C D
Stealing a young girl's heart
G D C
Just like Gene and Roy
D G D
Singing those campfire songs
C D G D C
Oh I should've been a cowboy
How to play "Should've Been A Cowboy" by Toby Keith on guitar
Intro:
- Start with the chord progression {G D C D} and repeat it six times.
Use a lively strumming pattern to set the energetic tone of the song.
Verse 1:
- Play G, D, C, D progressing through the narrative of the lyrics.
Strumming Pattern: A mix of down and up strokes, keeping the rhythm upbeat.
- Focus on clearly articulating each chord change to match the story
being told through the lyrics.
- Common Mistake: Ensure the transitions between chords are clean and
do not muddle the distinct sound of each chord.
Chorus:
- The chorus transitions to G, D, C, D. This should be played with
more emphasis to highlight the chorus’s catchy and anthemic nature.
- Strum with energy, perhaps increasing the volume slightly to differentiate
from the verses.
- Lyrics such as "I should've been a cowboy" should align perfectly with
the chord changes to enhance the song's impact.
Verse 2:
- Similar to Verse 1, continue with the G, D, C, D progression.
Keep the same strumming pattern and tempo.
- The lyrics in Verse 2 continue to build on the adventurous theme,
so maintain an adventurous and upbeat rhythm.
General Tips:
- Tuning: Standard tuning will serve this song well.
- Tone: A bright, clear tone is ideal for this country song.
- Practice: Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining a consistent
rhythm, especially in the chorus to keep the song engaging.
Song Meaning:
- "Should've Been A Cowboy" reflects on the nostalgic ideal of the cowboy
lifestyle, evoking images of the Old West with references to iconic figures
and Western motifs. The song is a celebration of cowboy themes in popular
culture and personal longing for a life of adventure and freedom.
